A fine 19th-century French Napoléon III mourning hairwork miniature, featuring an intricately arranged weeping floral motif constructed from fine strands of human hair, mounted alongside a dried wheat ear and accent foliage. The base of the composition is inscribed in black ink with the French funerary dedication "REGRETS", symbolizing grief and eternal remembrance. The piece is housed under glass within a turned ebonised wooden oval frame fitted with a brass inner sight ring and top suspension ring for wall hanging.

Historical & Style Details

• Inscription: Inscribed "REGRETS" in fine ink lettering at lower centre
• Period: 19th century (circa 1860–1880, Napoléon III period)
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Woven and formed human hair, ink drawing, cut foil/paper, and dried wheat ear on a cream ground
• Frame: Turned ebonised wooden oval frame with gilt-brass inner bezel and original textured paper backing
• Condition: Good antique condition; age-appropriate patination to brass bezel, light flaking to edge of rear paper covering, hairwork remains well preserved under glass

History

During the Victorian era and the French Second Empire (Napoléon III period), hair art (travail en cheveux) flourished as a sentimental tradition of mourning and remembrance. Keepsakes featuring hair formed into weeping flowers or trees, often paired with symbolic wheat ears representing faith and resurrection, were framed in ebonised medallions to commemorate lost loved ones.